After three terrible quarters, the Knicks ’infantry body warmed up in the fourth quarter. They did everything but make the snow disappear.
After 18 points in the third quarter and 17 early in the quarter, the Knicks ’young arms, led by rookie combo guard Immanuel Quickley and a resurgent Kevin Knox, propelled a comeback and a towing 100-93 victory over the Cavaliers in the without fans preseason home opening.
After looking lethargic at first, Knox burned in a sensational fourth quarter to hit three triples and finish with 16 points.
Quickley, the 25th pick of the draft, was a spark from the second half in his home debut and ignited the Knicks ’offensive pace. Quickley didn’t shoot with a high percentage (3 of 11), but finished with nine power points and seven assists.
The Knicks scored just 13 points in the third quarter before waking up with those young legs.
Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau has said he wants to take advantage of the “athletics” of his youth.
The quintet of Knox, Quickley, Mitchell Robinson, Obi Toppin and RJ Barrett lit up the night of the fourth quarter, when the Knicks won the period 34-13.
The garden was bombarded with a wave of fake noise from the most notable people in the fourth quarter when the Knicks made that run.
Barrett was a barrel beast on his third solid start in a row. Robinson scored 12 points and added 10 rebounds before falling on his nose in the final minute.
Toppin, after a quiet start, added eight points and a cruel last-minute attack. In a rookie scene that could spawn the future, Quickley threw a lob for Toppin, which hit him against the fourth-quarter rise.
Before, the Cavaliers were killing the Knicks from the depths. The Knicks started the game 3 of 25 from the 3-point line, as the Cavaliers gained an 18-point lead in the third period.
With the strength of their 3-point throw, the Cavaliers gained a 57-53 lead in the half. The Cavaliers nailed the 8 of 15 3, with the Knicks looking a lot like David Fizdale’s defense. The Knicks shot just 3 of 13 from depth, 3-point problems continued.
The Knicks won a 45-34 deficit in the second quarter with Julius Randle and Barrett causing sparks. Randle’s most notable play came in a robbery attack and quick stop during the end of the second quarter. Randle scored 13 points in the first half.
Barrett drove back with aplomb and scored 10 points in the first half. It was such an important first part for security defender Dennis Smith Jr. In the final seconds of the first quarter, as he dribbled the clock, he was stripped and Andrew Drummond’s quick fall to the buzzer put Cleveland ahead 25-24.
Robinson, who started in midfield from a Nerlens Noel injury, picked up two fouls in the opening three minutes and came out.
It was hard on the boards, but also sometimes out of position. In one play, he never came out to defend Dean Wade, who punched a 3 open to extend the Cavaliers by two digits. Inside, Drummond went on his way with Robinson, scoring 16 points in the first half.
While Smith didn’t seem too sharp, rookie goalie Quickley showed electricity, scoring on a pair of floats and nailing a 3-pointer: his specialty. Quickley, who played in Kentucky, added five points in eight minutes of the first half.
In his garden debut, Toppin looked annoyed after stepping on a Cavaliers player’s foot shortly after registering.
The Cavaliers passed Toppin at No. 5 to take defensive end Isaac Okoro, who has surprised with his trumpy offense. It was projected that Toppin would go to Cleveland on almost every draft.
“It was until draft night,” Cavs coach JB Bickerstaff said before the game. “It simply came to our notice then. It was a debate. We decided the need he covered at the defensive end of the flat. “
Thibodeau made his debut as head coach at the Knicks’ home after spending six years as an assistant, mostly under the direction of Jeff Van Gundy.
“It’s unfortunate that fans can’t be here,” Thibodeau said before the match. “But there is no better place for big games in this building and the knowledge of the fans is recognized if you play a good game of basketball. It is a very unique place. It’s the best place to play in the league. Players are very excited to play here. I’m excited to be a part of it. “